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Cheers! Suncliffe releases its new barrel-aged ‘Solstice Gin’

Cheers! Suncliffe releases its new barrel-aged ‘Solstice Gin’

Dec 15, 20223 min read

Suncliffe Gin just announced the launch of its brand-new Solstice Gin, a limited edition and seasonal barrel-aged gin available in just 800 bottles. Beginning today, Wednesday, December 14, you can purchase a bottle at Westbound, Tap & Bottle North, and Rum Runner (more locations to be selling it soon).

Photo courtesy of Suncliffe Gin

What to expect from the new gin

Rested in charred American oak whiskey barrels, Solstice Gin offers a new perspective on Suncliffe’s unique blend of Arizona botanicals.

“With a complex warmth on the palette and a hue evocative of Sedona’s golden aura, this seasonal offering from Suncliffe invites you to explore a higher plane and enjoy the view.”

Suncliffe highlights local plant species, combining a trio of native Arizona juniper — one-seed, shaggy, and alligator — with a blend of wild-foraged botanicals, including ponderosa pine bark, manzanita, and western elderflower. Plus, the gin is vapor-infused in custom copper stills and non-chill filtered, resulting in a botanical twist on the classic spirit that sparks the imagination — a postcard from the Southwest.

Solstice Gin Tasting Notes & Ingredients

Desert honey on the nose. Nutty caramel on the front, leading into stone fruit, with a subtly spiced finish on the palate. Medium-bodied with a silky mouth feel. Suncliffe’s botanical profile is truly unique, with two of the ingredients — manzanita and ponderosa pine bark — requiring individual FDA approval.

Aside from the retailers mentioned earlier (Westbound, Tap & Bottle North, and Rum Runner), Suncliffe’s Solstice Gin will soon be available at select retailers in Arizona and New York for $49.99. For a list of retailers that may be selling it in the future, visit suncliffegin.com.

Suncliffe is a woman and LGBTQ-owned and operated business supporting local communities. With this new release, the team continues its mission to “showcase the unique botanicals of the Southwest and challenge traditional notions of gin.”

Holiday Bazaar at Westbound

If you’d like to taste the new Solstice Gin, Suncliffe will be set up at Westbound’s Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, December 17. You’ll be able to pick up a bottle for home and the team will also be serving up a special cocktail for the occasion from 6 – 8 p.m.

Learn more about the event by following Westbound on Facebook

Sonoran Chinese X-Mas Feast

On Tuesday, December 20, Suncliffe is participating in the Chinese Sonoran X-Mas Feast at Maynards — Suncliffe’s gin will be incorporated into the Welcome Cocktail.

The dinner will be focused on chiltepin’s native culinary heritage to the southwest while exploring how it can be utilized to evoke Chinese cuisine. Each ticket includes a multi-course meal, a Peking Duck demonstration by Forbes Meat Co., a Hand-Pulled Noodles demonstration by chef Yeh, a large selection of vegan and gluten-free dishes, and a gift bag.

Tickets are still available for purchase, which are $175 per person or $250 for couples.

Learn more about the one-of-a-kind dinner by reading our article “Tucson Foodie & Maynards presents: A Chinese Sonoran X-Mas Feast.”

For more information on Suncliffe Gin and where to find a bottle, visit suncliffegin.com

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Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

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#tucsonaz #tucsonfoodie #downtowntucsonNow open in downtown Tucson: @gibsonmarkettucson🙌 Coming soon: @pearlloungetucson 11 S 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ #tucsonaz #tucsonfoodie #downtowntucsonFoodie Dinner at @Sonoranhouse_samhughes! 

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#tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieFoodie Dinner at @Sonoranhouse_samhughes! Executive Chef @Culinarycowboy86d showcased delicious new dishes while guests enjoyed tastings and shared feedback. Thank you to Chef Gabby, @sonoranhouse_samhughes, and everyone who joined us!🥂 Want in on more foodie experiences? Here’s what Tucson Foodie Members get: • $6,000+ in gift cards & perks • Free monthly Foodie Hours • Exclusive R&D dinners • Festival discounts • Help keep Tucson Foodie free #tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieItalian Week runs now through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝🍕 

Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August.

🎉 Week 5 Winners
• Libby: $50 North Italia gift card
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Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply.

🏆 This Week’s Prizes
• $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card
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More details in bioItalian Week runs now through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝🍕 Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August. 🎉 Week 5 Winners • Libby: $50 North Italia gift card • Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets • arts_primacy_2c: 4 Cool Summer Nights passes • Donita3000: $20 Ghini’s French Caffe gift card • Nancy & Gabriella: $100 Visa gift cards Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply. 🏆 This Week’s Prizes • $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card • $100 Visa gift card • $75 @carusositalian gift card • $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card • $50 @miramontetucson gift card • $50 @localetucson gift card • @desertmuseum passes More details in bio@Theironcheftucson returns to Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita this Saturday, July 18!

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The event begins with the Culinary Experience from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring three hours of food and drink sampling, cooking demos, and classes, followed by the live Iron Chef Competition from 5 to 8 p.m. This is a 21+ event. 

More details and tickets at Tucsonfoodie.com🏆🎉@Theironcheftucson returns to Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita this Saturday, July 18! Two-time reigning champion @chef_antbanks of @obonsushi is back to defend his title against AJ Mortazavi of @barnyard_az, winner of the 2026 Meet the Chefs competition. Once the secret ingredient is revealed, both chefs will race against the clock to create dishes judged on taste, creativity, and presentation. The event begins with the Culinary Experience from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring three hours of food and drink sampling, cooking demos, and classes, followed by the live Iron Chef Competition from 5 to 8 p.m. This is a 21+ event. More details and tickets at Tucsonfoodie.com🏆🎉José Contreras, chef and owner of @Ameliastucson, is headed to New York City to cook alongside chef Alam Méndez of Washington, D.C.‘s Apapacho Taqueria for a collaborative dinner at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform at Pier 57.

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Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com

#tucsonaz #tucsonnewsJosé Contreras, chef and owner of @Ameliastucson, is headed to New York City to cook alongside chef Alam Méndez of Washington, D.C.‘s Apapacho Taqueria for a collaborative dinner at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform at Pier 57. The Aug. 11 dinner will celebrate the culinary traditions of Sonora and Oaxaca through a multi course menu centered on heirloom corn, traditional masa, and coastal flavors. Guests will also enjoy a cocktail reception, Mijenta Tequila pairings, and a Q&A with both chefs. The event begins at 6:30 pm at @Pier57.nyc. Tickets are $210 for dining table seats and $250 for the chef’s counter, and are available now at Jamesbeard.org. Congratulations to @Chefjosetucson on another incredible milestone!🎉 Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonaz #tucsonnews

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